Recent Home Loss Could Benefit Brooklyn Nets In Playoffs

By Mike B. Ruiz

Brad Penner-USA Today Sports

For 15 straight games at Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets forgot what losing at home felt like. Then, the Atlanta Hawks came to town on Friday night.

By game’s end, the streak was gone, as the Hawks came away with a 93-88 victory over Brooklyn. As disappointed as the Nets and their fans are that it was finally snapped, it will be a blessing in disguise; when things are going as great as they possibly can, sometimes the good fortune can be taken for granted. The appreciation for what even brought about the continuous smiles could unconsciously be lost.

With the playoffs set to take flight next week, a dose of reality couldn’t hurt any team, especially not the Nets, who had been unbeatable on their home court for such an extended period of time. The end of the streak just before the postseason commences will prevent any shell-shocking effect that could have occurred if it was instead halted during a series.

Only adding to the benefitting effect of the first home loss in 16 contests for Brooklyn is the journey they will likely face. Currently the fifth seed and three games in the loss column behind the Toronto Raptors for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, the likelihood appears to be that the Nets will not have home-court advantage in either of the first two rounds.

This will give the games Brooklyn does host even more significance, as they will be potential swing games in the middle of the series. Being reminded before entering them that they aren’t invincible at home will only keep them pushing even harder to secure victories, which is not a bad thing at all.